Enterprise Information Management Readiness: A Survey of Current Issues, Challenges and Strategy

In recent years organisations have witnessed considerable change in their information environment including the increasing volume of new (and mostly unstructured) information types. The imperative to manage this information across its entire lifecycle presents considerable challenges. This paper outlines the findings of an in-depth survey of information professionals addressing drivers, issues and challenges of Enterprise Information Management (EIM). The current status of EIM strategy and its benefits and challenges are addressed. The survey reveals that the drivers for EIM are diverse ranging from obtaining business value to meeting regulatory compliance. The study also shows that EIM drivers cannot be simply reduced to a series of technical or organisational needs but reveals EIM as a complex sociotechnical phenomenon. Few organisations have enterprise-wide EIM strategies in place; those who have them are better able to keep track of and achieve performance objectives. The survey sets the basis for further research investigations in supporting organisation in their EIM initiatives.